Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-12-28

COlHc vi JucSe Will De engineers, some
conductors, and some will fiji other posi-
tions. They are learning well and by
the time we gre ready TO put cars on far
travel they will be able to operate the
cars with as perfect safety rs any of the
men that | have here vita me now from
New York. But some of them were green,
| tell you, when they were first engaged.
Why, they had no idea how to apply the
breaks"
A MOONLIGHT RUN.
"This morning between 3 and 4
O'clock continued Mr.. SpTague, "ve
| started out with car from the eastern
end of the line and made test trip
Went up as far as Fifth and Clay streets
and returned with perfect success. lin
tended to have gone all of the way out
| to the reservoir, but the track
west of the point at which we
stopped Is laid on an unpaved
street and was covered with mud that
was nearly or quite frozen. OF course
running there ii it could be accomplished
at all, would have been attended with
great difficulty. But never saw n pret-
tier ipmade than this one. We came up
the Franklin-streCt hill at the rate of
about four miles an hour, and made
every crossing and curve without the
slightest difficulty. While orr wires
are overhead the running OF the cars is
greatly improved by the wheels passing
directly on the tracks. and mud or dirt
on the rails impedcs the progress. We
had mud to contend with on the part Of
the track that We went over bat 1t was
not so thick as in the western part Of the
city, where the tracks have not been
cleaned OF since they were laid some
two months ago
WHEN CARS WILL START.
When will these cars be run for the
use Of the patronizing public? is the
question in which the people Of Rich
mond are very much interested just now,
and this was asked Mr.. Sprague.
"This il is impossible for me to an
swer'With any degree of accuracy" said
he "There are many little matters of
detail which may bother Us at the last
moment when We think we ere ready
and cause further delay. We have bad
such experiences already, and they are
naturally to be expected at the com
mencement Of the operation of such a
road as this"
Mr. Sprague continued at some length,
explaining troubles OF a trihing charac-
ter that had arisen and that might yet
arise. He had hoped 10 be able to start
ten cars the first of January, but he
could see now that to do so would not be
practicable He said, however that he
felt sure Of being able in about two
weeks to put on cars to accommodate the
public.
NEW SYSTEM.
"Is there any street-railway in Ameri-
ca being run by electricity as you pro-
pose to apply it here ?" was asked.
- We ore binding roads at st. Jo-
seph. Mo-, Wilkcsbarre, Pa, Whining
ton, Del, Carbondale, Pa, and Harris
burg, responded he, "and expect soon
to have others in Boston, New York,
Baltimore aud probably st. Louis
in these latter places of dense population
the storage system Will beused, as over
head wires would not be desirable. In
this system the battery IS carried on the
car itself. Such a system would not do
at all for Richmond, nor would any other
than the one that we have adopted, for
no other would work well over tins CIR
cuitous and irregular route.
Mr.. Sprague said further that this
ronte is one Of the hardest ever built,
and that to make the system complete
when put in operation much time had
been Necessary. He said that the plant
is in perfect order and he regards 1t the
best one in America. The cars are be-
ing fitted up at the company works, on
Church I'LL. The company, he says,
will have more motors than all the
rumors in Europe.
Mr.. Sprague says there is no question
as 10 the plant furnishing all the power
that will be wanted. The electricity is
not injected just at the ends Of the wire
or circuit, but the current is fed at four
points-near each end and at two places
in the central portion of the city. One
section may be cut off for repairs and
all the rest be left entirely in
tact This is urged as a great i'm
provemeut over the ordinary systems be-
cause the strain on the wires Is not so
great and much smaller wires are being
used. Should the trolley wire break the
other wires will transmit sufficient power
until the former can be put up.
THE CONTRACT.
The Electric Company has contract
with the Union Passenger Railway Com
pany to equip the road with electricity
and electrical appliances. Forty cars are
to be equipped, and thirty is to be the
maximum used at any one time. Wire
is TO be furnished for 3G, 322 feet of sim
gle track and 200 of double, which,
with extra circuits. will amount TO eleven
and hall miles OF track and eight and
n half miles of street. IL calls for
twenty turnouts and thirty curves and
crossings. If with ninety days trial the
railway company is satisfied it has to
pay the amount agreed upon. II it does
not work satisfactorily it shall be made
to do so before the contract becomes
binding. Mr.. Sprague says the plant is
equipped with the best, most improved,
and strongest machinery, and has cost
over 100000.
PERSONAL.
Mr.. Sprague is very pleasant gentle
man in conversation, and was at one
time an officer in the United States navy.
He has given most of his life to the study |
of electricity, in which he appears we'll
versed, and is very sanguine OF the sue
cess of the system.
Mr.. s. ID. Green is Mr.. Sprague's
agent here. He was also naval officer,
but declined hattering offer to accept !
his present position. He has under him |
about forty experienced men.
Mr.. Sprague will be here the most OF !
the next month, and Mr.. Green will |
remain permanently until his company
has complied with the provisions OF its
contract
order OF the Golden Chain.
On Monday night Denutv Hnnran,e.